Student publications

Branly Kilola Mbunga and colleagues published an article about anaemia and iron deficiency in a malaria-endemic setting. This was part of the NORHED GROWNUT project, which is led by Anne Hatløy. Ingunn Engebretsen (CIH/UiB) and Mapatano Ali from Kinshasa University supervise Mbunga. Tor Strand also from UiB is a co-researcher on the project.

The article is based on results from a community-based cross-sectional study in the Popokabaka Health Zone, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This is an entirely rural area located in Kwango Province, DRC, where the population faces food insecurity and poverty. It is also an area where there are challenges collecting samples!

Iron deficiency (ID), the leading cause of anaemia and the most common nutritional deficiency globally, is not well reported among children in malaria-endemic settings, and little is known about its contribution to anaemia in these settings. The researchers conclude that anaemia control strategies in Popokababa should focus on malaria prevention and other childhood infectious disease controls for effective impact.

Prevalence of Anemia, Iron-Deficiency Anemia, and Associated Factors among Children Aged 1–5 Years in the Rural, Malaria-Endemic Setting of Popokabaka, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study," published in Nutrients.

Marte Bodil and colleagues published an article in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, entitled “Neonatal care practices in Buikwe District, Uganda: a qualitative study”.  The study showed that there is actually poor knowledge among health workers about the Uganda Clinical Guidelines (UCG) from 2016 relating to neonatal care practices. It underlines the need to have continued focus on systemic strategies for their further implementation.

"Neonatal care practices in Buikwe District, Uganda: a qualitative study"

Bodil was featured in another CIH News article.